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ABOUT TONGA - HISTORY
It is believed that the islands of Tonga may have been inhabited as long ago as 5000 years. There is evidence that there was definite settlement about 3500 years ago, with the distinctive Lapita pottery still found on the islands. It is thought that the first Tongans migrated from the west of Tonga, especially Fiji.
A warfaring society, from the 13th century Tongan war canoes ranged as far as Fiji, Samoa, Tokelau and Niue, where the Tongan influence remains in varying degrees.
In the early 17th Century, the first Europeans (Dutch) arrived, followed by the English in the mid-18th century, including Captain James Cook who nick-named Tonga 'The Friendly Isles'. It was not until the 1820s, when missionaries arrived, that trading links with the rest of the world were established. However, it wasn't until the 1820s, when missionaries arrived, that links with the outside world were really established.
In 1875, the three chiefly lines that had dominated Tonga for so long were consolidated into a single monarchy under George Tupou I. Under his rule, Tonga was made a British Protectorate in 1900. The present King of Tonga, King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV who was crowned on 4th July 1967, is his direct descendant.
Tonga is the only South Pacific country never to have been colonised. In 1901 Tonga and Great Britain entered into an agreement under which Tonga had the benefits of being a British protectorate in exchange for British direction of Tongan foreign affairs, an arrangement that was rescinded in 1970. Independence, or emancipation as it is referred to, from protectorate status was granted on 4 June of that year.
January 2003
 For useful Tonga links, visit the Links page.
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